AFSA publishes a report on the application of Generative AI in financial services at the AIFC
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is publishing a new report on the application of Generative Artificial Intelligence in financial services (AI Survey) at the AIFC, demonstrating AFSA’s commitment to its objectives on fostering the development of financial technologies in the AIFC and at the same time ensuring that financial markets in AIFC operate in fair, efficient, transparent and orderly manner.
The AI Survey received 42 responses from Authorised Persons. The results of AI Survey highlight that 45% of respondents use AI which shows the early-phase adoption of AI, marked by cautious experimentation and a clear focus on risk management and operational efficiency. AI usage is currently concentrated in lower-risk areas, such as customer communication and marketing, with limited integration into core financial functions, like algorithmic trading or credit underwriting. A prominent trend identified is the reliance on third-party AI solutions.
Based on AI Survey findings and to further ensure responsible innovation and appropriately respond to the evolving risks from AI in finance, the AFSA plans to сonduct another AI survey in 2026. The results of this survey will be used to assess whether regulatory amendments are necessary in relation to the application of AI in financial services, while continuing to monitor AI adoption by Authorised Persons and focusing on the regulatory aspects of AI implementation.
AIFC FinTech Lab as a regulatory sandbox offers regulated and secure environment to Test and/or Develop innovative financial services in the AIFC. Consequently, potential applicants and FinTech Lab Participants are welcome to test financial services and products with the use of AI solutions within AIFC FinTech Lab (regulatory sandbox) under the existing regulatory regime.
Yerkegali Yedenbayev, Chief Authorisation and FinTech Officer of the AFSA, said:
“AFSA has always supported a controlled growth of innovative financial services in the AIFC. Recent breakthroughs in AI with the advent of efficient Generative AI, have been a catalyst of rapid transformations across industries.
The recent AI Survey that AFSA conducted in 2025 is a part of ongoing activities in regulatory innovation, and at this step we focused on understanding the level of exposure of AIFC financial market to AI risks. As we expect more AI solutions in finance, further monitoring is necessary, in this regard, we are planning to conduct another AI Survey in the upcoming year”.
He also noted that as a financial services regulator, AFSA recognises the significant potential of AI in financial services. At the same time, the regulator believes that testing within the regulatory sandbox is essential for both the industry and regulators to obtain critical insights and develop the necessary expertise.
These steps form a core component of AFSA’s commitment to supporting responsible innovation, maintaining robust regulatory standards, and protecting customers’ interests in an increasingly AI-driven financial services environment.
The AI Survey received 42 responses from Authorised Persons. The results of AI Survey highlight that 45% of respondents use AI which shows the early-phase adoption of AI, marked by cautious experimentation and a clear focus on risk management and operational efficiency. AI usage is currently concentrated in lower-risk areas, such as customer communication and marketing, with limited integration into core financial functions, like algorithmic trading or credit underwriting. A prominent trend identified is the reliance on third-party AI solutions.
Based on AI Survey findings and to further ensure responsible innovation and appropriately respond to the evolving risks from AI in finance, the AFSA plans to сonduct another AI survey in 2026. The results of this survey will be used to assess whether regulatory amendments are necessary in relation to the application of AI in financial services, while continuing to monitor AI adoption by Authorised Persons and focusing on the regulatory aspects of AI implementation.
AIFC FinTech Lab as a regulatory sandbox offers regulated and secure environment to Test and/or Develop innovative financial services in the AIFC. Consequently, potential applicants and FinTech Lab Participants are welcome to test financial services and products with the use of AI solutions within AIFC FinTech Lab (regulatory sandbox) under the existing regulatory regime.
Yerkegali Yedenbayev, Chief Authorisation and FinTech Officer of the AFSA, said:
“AFSA has always supported a controlled growth of innovative financial services in the AIFC. Recent breakthroughs in AI with the advent of efficient Generative AI, have been a catalyst of rapid transformations across industries.
The recent AI Survey that AFSA conducted in 2025 is a part of ongoing activities in regulatory innovation, and at this step we focused on understanding the level of exposure of AIFC financial market to AI risks. As we expect more AI solutions in finance, further monitoring is necessary, in this regard, we are planning to conduct another AI Survey in the upcoming year”.
He also noted that as a financial services regulator, AFSA recognises the significant potential of AI in financial services. At the same time, the regulator believes that testing within the regulatory sandbox is essential for both the industry and regulators to obtain critical insights and develop the necessary expertise.
These steps form a core component of AFSA’s commitment to supporting responsible innovation, maintaining robust regulatory standards, and protecting customers’ interests in an increasingly AI-driven financial services environment.
AI Survey can be found here.